Vicaris Generaal comes to us in a large, cage-corked champagne-style bottle. It pours a clear, burgundy brown capped by a truly everlasting pale beige head. The nose offers plenty of fresh orange, as well as a moderately woody spiciness. Expect other fruity notes to develop as well; we got hints of plum and nectarine and just a splash of grape must. The malts are definitely in charge, delivering ample wafts of fresh baked bread and biscuits, as w...

Another good looking brew, Black presents a very dark brown color in the glass with garnet flashes when held to the light. On the nose this stout is very true to style, offering aromas of deeply toasted grain with a roasty, char-like edge, along with a bit of nuttiness and coffee, and underlying hints of dark fruit, molasses, and anise. Hops add a mild floral, spicy, and subtle earthy quality. Expect big roasty flavors as it opens on the palat...

Lancaster describes this brew as a “ruby ale” and, you know, they’re right. This beer cuts quite a handsome figure in the glass, presenting an attractive reddish color with brilliant clarity and a soft cap of foam that drops some lacing as you drink. We found the aroma delicate but complex, with prominent fruity and somewhat floral overtones with a mildly sweet-smelling malt core. Look for notes of caramel, a touch of butterscotch, and a spicy...

Oak Barrel Stout is one of the darkest beers we’ve seen in a while. This baby is completely opaque and offers up an inviting, rich, dark head. On the nose, we found the vanilla beans with which it was “dry-hopped” to be very apparent, along with a semi-sweet chocolate character. There’s also a prominent roasty, smoky quality, along with an underlying caramel sweetness and a wisp of graham cracker. On the palate look for an oaky woodiness to be...

Old Dominion’s spring seasonal, Big Thaw Bock, is brewed as a maibock, or helles (meaning “light” or “pale”) bock, which is essentially a paler take on a traditional bock, with similar alcohol levels but a flavor profile that tends to add more emphasis to the hops. Big Thaw Bock pours a lightly hazy coppery-orange color with a fairly large head of fluffy foam. On the nose, look for a complex variety of various subtle aromas; we found a lightly ...

Flashback is Boulder’s take on the dark IPA trend, and was first brewed to celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2009. A light brown/reddish amber ale that’s been amped up on a big-ass dose of American hops, it offers up citric and piney hop aromas atop sweet and toasty caramel malt notes with a touch of toffee and chocolate. It opens on the palate with an assertive hop bitterness followed by a variety of classic brown ale notes. Look for a mild...

This wheat beer pours a bright straw color with a crisp white head and tons of haze from the yeast in suspension. You’re likely to have a significant layer of yeast sediment on the bottom of your bottle, which is normal for the style; you can pour carefully to avoid it, or not – it’s a personal preference and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. On the nose, expect big tangy wheat aromas, implying a touch of tartness, with some herbal, clove...